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GARMENT SUPPORTER.

No. 321,647. Patented July 7, 1885.

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CHRISTOPHER G. SHELBY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

GARMENT-SUPPORTER.

forming part of Letters Patent No. 321,647, dated July 7, 1885.

Application filed November 11, 1884. (N0 model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHRISTOPHER C. SHEL- BY, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Garment- Supporters, of which the following is a specification.

My present invention relates to devices for supporting garments when in use, either in fixed or in temporary positions.

The object of the invention is to furnish a device of the character mentioned, designed especially as a support for socks, but adapted to be employed as a supporting or adjusting device for the sleeves of shirts, and to be used Wherever applicable as a supporting attachment for garments.

The invention consists, primarily, in a simple, inexpensive, and efficient means for connecting in position in an adjustable manner the free end of the elastic or non-elastic band. The features of novelty for which I desire protection are pointed out-in the claims at the end of this description.

In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this description, and in which like parts are indicated by like letters, Figure 1 represents a perspective view of my device applied to a sock on the leg of the wearer. Fig. 2 is a plan view showing the device upon the free end ofithe band constructed so as to permit the adjustment of the band in length. Fig. 3 is also a plan view showing the band composed of a flat non-elastic piece and a round elastic piece, these parts being secured together in an adj ustable manner, and the device upon the free end of the flat band being also adjustably secured thereto; and Fig. 4c is a similar view with the band provided with two forms of stops or looking devices, whereby the device upon the free end of the band may, when desired, be held in a fixed position on the band.

Referring to the drawings, the letter A represents a band, which may be fiat or round, elastic or non-elastic, and of various sizes, according to the uses to which the device is to be applied, and B represents a clasping device, which may be of any approved pattern, and which is permanently secured to one end of the band A. The function of the clasping device B is to take hold of the sock or other article to be supported.

0 indicates the device upon the free end of the band A, whereby the said free end is adjustably connected to the body of the band. The size of the loop formed by this adjustable connection is increased or decreased by moving the said device 0 toward or from that end of the band to which the clasp B is secured.

The device 0 consists of an elongated springhool: of any desirable form, the several views of the drawings illustrating modifications in the construction of this feature.

In Fig. l the book 0 is of a cheap inexpensive form, being provided with a shank that is bent up and compressed around the end of the band A when connecting it thereto. In Fig, 2 said device has its shank provided with a clasp, (0, whereby it is detachably and adjnstably secured to the free end of the band. This construction enables the length of the band to be adjusted independently of the adjustment of the size of the loop formed by the connection of the free end of the. band to its body.

The bands of Figs. 1 and 2 are wholly of elastic material, while that shown in Fig. 3 combines elastic and non-elastic material, the letter A indicating a flat non-elastic piece, and A a round elastic piece.

The clasping device Bis attached to one end of the piece A, and its opposite end is provided with an ordinary device for permitting the non-elastic piece to be adj ustably connected thereto and to be lengthened or shortened, as may be desired. The opposite or free end of the fiat non-elastic piece A has attached thereto in an adjustable manner the springhook 0, the shank of which in this instance being of the form and character of a buckle, whereby the end of the band secured thereto may be lengthened or shortened.

' Fig. 4 shows a flat elastic band, A, provided at one end with clasping device B and at the other end with the elongated spring-hook O, and at a point just above the clasping device B with means to permit the springhook O to be locked in the position to which it is adjusted in use. Two forms of this locking means are shown, either of which will serve the purpose in view, one consisting of a piece of metal, I), provided with pointed ends, by means of which it is secured to the band in an obvious manner, and the other consisting of a loop or loops, b, formed upon the edge of the band. The manner in which these stops or looking devices serve the purpose in view is entirely clear from the illustration furnished.

By the use of the spring-hook O the adjustment of the free end of the band A is made with ease and facility, and the fabric composing said band is not injured, as is the case with the employment of sharp edged or toothed clasping devices; and the fact that said hook is flexible and spring-like in structure insures its remaining in whatever position it may be adjusted to assume upon the body of the band A. Another desirable feature of this connecting device 0 is that it is comparatively lacking in thickness and is smooth upon its under surface, thereby avoiding the objections of weight and bulk, as well as unevenness of conformation, which are usually present in the ordinary toothed clasps.

In applying my supporter to sustain a sock in position,for instance,the sock is first grasped in the proper position by the clamping device B and the band A brought up around and above the calf of the leg to meet the lower portion of with a clasp for securing said end to the article to be supported and at its other free or adjustable end with a hook, which, by its inherent elasticity, is capable of securing said adjustable end in a fixed position to the body of the garter, substantially as set forth.

2. A garment-supporter consisting of a flat band, the free end of which is provided with an elastic hook, and a round pendentpiece secured at one end to the flat band and carrying at its opposite end an attaching-clasp, substantially as set forth.

Signed at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, this 6th day of November, A. D. 1884.

CHRISTOPHER O. SHELBY.

Witnesses:

J. E. M. BOWEN, WM. 0. SHELBY. 

